The Major in Physics aims to provide students with a solid foundation on the subject. Core courses form the blocks of fundamental knowledge to pursue learning in specializations, e.g. quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, classical mechanics and electrodynamics. A large selection of elective courses is provided for students to pursue a wide range of topics from the very small scale (i.e. subatomic particles) to the large scale (i.e. cosmology). Students will attain professional knowledge in physics, research experience and the training of analytical thinking and quantitative reasoning during their studies. Graduates are expected to have acquired the broad training which can equip them well for further studies in multiple science and technology disciplines and to work in their specialized area.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this programme, students should be able to:

PLO 1 :

identify and describe physical systems with their professional knowledge
(by means of coursework and tutorial classes in the curriculum)

PLO 2 :

have developed their scientific intuition, abilities and techniques to tackle problems either theoretical or experimental in nature
(by means of coursework, tutorial classes and laboratory works in the curriculum)

PLO 3 :

analyze problems qualitatively and quantitatively, and appraise the related ethical issues
(by means of coursework, tutorial classes and research-based projects in the curriculum)

PLO 4 :

communicate and collaborate with people effectively in scientific issues
(by means of group projects, tutorial sessions and presentation opportunities in the curriculum)

PLO 5 :

apply scientific and quantitative methods in tackling problems in research or real-word setting
(by means of projects, directed studies, local and foreign internships attached to universities, research centers, government bodies, NGOs and influential companies)

Impermissible Combination:

Major in Mathematics/PhysicsMinor in Physics

Required courses (96 credits)

1. Introductory level courses (48 credits)

Disciplinary Core Courses: Science Foundation Courses (12 credits)

SCNC1111

Scientific method and reasoning (6)

SCNC1112

Fundamentals of modern science (6)

Disciplinary Core Courses (30 credits)

PHYS1250

Fundamental physics (6)

PHYS2250

Introductory mechanics (6)

PHYS2255

Introductory electricity and magnetism (6)

PHYS2260

Heat and waves (6)

PHYS2265

Modern physics (6)

Disciplinary Electives (6 credits)

At least 6 credits selected from the following courses:

PHYS1150

Problem solving in physics (6)

PHYS2055

Introduction to relativity (6)

PHYS2150

Methods in physics I (6)

PHYS2155

Methods in physics II (6)

2. Advanced level courses (42 credits)

Disciplinary Core Courses (24 credits)

PHYS3350

Classical mechanics (6)

PHYS3351

Quantum mechanics (6)

PHYS3450

Electromagnetism (6)

PHYS3550

Statistical mechanics & thermodynamics (6)

Disciplinary Electives (18 credits)

At least 18 credits of advanced level Physics courses (PHYS3XXX or PHYS4XXX or PHYS7XXX level), subject to prerequisite requirements.The current list includes courses in List A and those courses not selected to fulfill the capstone requirements.

List A

PHYS3150

Theoretical physics (6)

PHYS3551

Introductory solid state physics (6)

PHYS3650

Observational astronomy (6)

PHYS3651

The physical universe (6)

PHYS3652

Principles of astronomy (6)

PHYS3750

Laser and spectroscopy (6)

PHYS3751

Physics of nanomaterials (6)

PHYS3850

Waves and optics (6)

PHYS3851

Atomic and nuclear physics (6)

PHYS4150

Computational physics (6)

PHYS4151

Data analysis and modeling in physics (6)

PHYS4350

Advanced classical mechanics (6)

PHYS4351

Advanced quantum mechanics (6)

PHYS4450

Advanced electromagnetism (6)

PHYS4550

Advanced statistical mechanics (6)

PHYS4551

Solid state physics (6)

PHYS4650

Stellar physics (6)

PHYS4651

Selected topics in astrophysics (6)

PHYS4652

Planetary science (6)

PHYS4653

Cosmology (6)

PHYS4654

General relativity (6)

PHYS4655

Interstellar medium (6)

PHYS4750

Experimental physics (6)

PHYS4850

Particle physics (6)

PHYS7350

Graduate classical mechanics (6)

PHYS7351

Graduate quantum mechanics (6)

PHYS7450

Graduate electromagnetism (6)

PHYS7550

Graduate statistical mechanics (6)

PHYS7551

Graduate solid state physics (6)

PHYS7650

Stellar atmospheres (6)

PHYS7750

Nanophysics (6)

3. Capstone requirement (6 credits)

At least 6 credits selected from the following courses:

PHYS3999

Directed studies in physics (6)

PHYS4966

Physics internship (6)

PHYS4999

Physics project (12)

Notes:

1. Students are strongly advised to consult departmental course selection advisors for course and career planning before selecting the courses.

2. Double-counting of courses up to a maximum of 24 credits is permissible when a student with a science major opts to undertake a second major in science. The double-counted courses must include SCNC1111 Scientific method and reasoning (6 credits) and SCNC1112 Fundamentals of modern science (6 credits). Additional credits to be double-counted must be for courses required ('disciplinary core') by both majors. For cases with 24 or less double-counted credits, the student must make up an equivalent number of credits by taking other courses offered by any Faculty.

3. If more than 24 credits (including SCNC1111 & SCNC1112) are listed as required courses ("disciplinary core") in both the first and second majors undertaken by a student, the student must make up the number of credits above the 24 permissible by taking replacement course(s) (disciplinary electives) in the second major. Double counting of credits is not permissible for major-minor or double-minors combinations. For details, please refer to "Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements" in the BSc syllabuses.

4. Students are not required to take Capstone if this Science major is taken as a second major on the condition that the capstone experience in the first major requires the integration or application of knowledge from both major disciplines. If this is approved, a 6-credit advanced level course (disciplinary electives) in the second major must be taken to fulfill the credit requirement of the capstone experience.

5. Capstone requirement for BEd&BSc degree students is different. Students are required to take an additional 6-credit advanced level course (disciplinary electives) in the major to replace the capstone requirement of this Major. Students should consult the Faculty of Education for details.

6. Students must have level 3 or above in HKDSE Physics or equivalent to take this major. Students who do not fulfill this requirement are advised to take PHYS1240 Physics by inquiry.

Remarks:

Important! Ultimate responsibility rests with students to ensure that the required pre-requisites and co-requisite of selected courses are fulfilled. Students must take and pass all required courses in the
selected primary science major
in order to satisfy the degree graduation requirements.